PONTIAC GRAND AM 2001 Owners Manual

2-41
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RES ACCEL button for about
half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the RES ACCEL button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the button or apply the brake. So unless
you want to go faster, don't hold down the RES
ACCEL button.Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the SET COAST button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Press the RES ACCEL button. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, press the RES ACCEL button for less
than half a second and then release it. Each time
you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pushing the SET COAST button.

2-42
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push the SET COAST button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
COAST button for less than half a second. Each time
you do this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and don't
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

Press the cruise control RES ACCEL button and the
SET COAST buttons at the same time.

Press the cruise control ON OFF button.

Push the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle.
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-43
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
See ªTurn Signal/Multifunction Leverº in the Index.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is in the AUTO or parking
lamps only position,

the light sensor detects daytime light,

the parking brake is released, and

the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle only.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will
not be illuminated unless you have turned the headlamp
control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-44 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also be on when driving through
a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Headlamps Dim to Park (If Equipped)
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the headlamp control to the parking lamp position. In
this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the headlamp control to the
AUTO or headlamp position.

2-45 Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever
up one position and then back to AUTO.
Fog Lamps
The button for your fog
lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
intensity control.When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low
-beam headlamps.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high
-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.

2-46
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel cluster
lights by moving the thumbwheel to the right to increase
intensity and to the left to decrease intensity. The
thumbwheel is located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
Courtesy Lamp Control
When the thumbwheel for the instrument panel intensity
control is moved to the right, the dome lamp, and the
mirror reading lamps (if equipped) will turn on. Move
the thumbwheel to the left, to turn the lamps off.
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you lift the driver's door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about 10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON.
These lamps will also go on when you press the trunk
release, UNLOCK or the horn symbol button on the
optional keyless entry system transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

2-47 Mirror Reading Lamps
Press the switch next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp (If Equipped)
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel intensity control thumbwheel is moved
to the right. The OFF position will shut off the lamp
completely, even when a door is opened.
Your vehicle may also have two reading lamps as part of
the dome lamp. Push the lens of either lamp to turn them
on and off.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

Lift the driver's door handle,

open any door,

press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped),

press the power door lock switch,

press the remote trunk release, or

turn the lamp that was left on to off then to on again.

2-48
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Then adjust the angle of the
mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from any headlamps behind you, move
the lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you are
sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's side outside mirror with the control
lever on the driver's door.
To adjust your passenger's outside mirror, sit in the
driver's seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror
for you.
Power Remote Control Mirror
(If Equipped)
This selector knob
controls both outside
rearview mirrors.
Select the mirror you want to adjust by turning the knob
to the left or right. Adjust each mirror so that you can
see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Turn the knob to the center to turn the remote control
mirror off.

2-49 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle up.
Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
front of the lid.
Rear Seat Cupholder
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholder.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.

2-50
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
(If Equipped)
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
You can also remove the cigarette lighter to plug in
additional accessories. Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions that are included with any
electrical accessory you install.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side. The visors also
have extenders that you can pull out for added coverage.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Swing down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose
the vanity mirror.